Bird Guide

Brown Tinamou vs Little Tinamou

Brown Tinamou (Crypturellus obsoletus)

Brown Tinamou

Crypturellus obsoletus

Large443 gForest

The brown tinamou is approximately 25 to 30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) in length and it weighs about 350 to 550 g (12–19 oz). Depending on the subspecies involved, the upperparts vary from dark sooty-brown to bright chestnut and the underparts, which usually are paler than the upperparts, vary from chestnut to light ochraceous. The subspecies griseiventris is unique in having pale buff-grey underparts. All subspecies can be separated from the superficially similar little tinamou by the greyish (rather than whitish) throat. Females are typically larger and more rufescent than the males.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Brown Tinamou
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call · Morona-Santiago: e-slope Cord. de Cutucú: Uuntsuants, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: vinicius_s_domingues · CC BY 4.0
Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui)

Little Tinamou

Crypturellus soui

Medium216 gForest

The little tinamou is approximately 21.4 to 24 cm (8.4–9.4 in) in overall length. Males weigh around 207 g (7.3 oz), females 174–238 g (6.1–8.4 oz). Females are slightly larger and heavier than males. It has an unbarred sooty-brown plumage which transitions to grey on the head. The foreneck is whitish. While the underside of both male and female is cinnamon buff, the female is a lighter shade. The legs can be grey, olive, or yellow. Both male and female are almost tailess. The female is usually more brightly colored, the male tends to be darker and less rufescent.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Little Tinamou
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · Song · Sarare (near Gamelotal), Simón Planas, Lara, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Guy Babineau · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Brown Tinamou and Little Tinamou.